Because of his research on Bug Pokémon, Bugsy's knowledge makes him an authority on them. He even discovered the move Fury Cutter, which is the signature move on his Scyther. This research has led to his given title, "The Walking Bug Pokémon Encyclopedia". He claims to never lose when it comes to Bug Pokémon, but—once defeated by the player—will admit his research isn't yet finished. Upon defeat he will hand out the Hive Badge, and a Bug-type Technical Machine: TM49 (Fury Cutter) in Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and TM89 (U-turn) in HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Like all other Johto and Kanto Gym Leaders, Bugsy will leave his Gym from time to time. Every Thursday, Bugsy travels to Viridian Forest where he will hand out his Pokégear phone number to fellow travelers all day (12am-11:59pm). From here he will progress to the Fighting Dojo and, on Thursday afternoons (12pm-3pm), accept a rematch with a stronger team. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—the days before the tri-weekly Bug-Catching Contest — Bugsy will appear at National Park. On Fridays, he will take photographs with the player and their first Pokémon. Bugsy elects not to compete in the Bug-Catching Contests as he has already won it many times.

Azalea Gym

"I'm Bugsy! I never lose when it comes to Bug-type Pokémon. My research is going to make me an authority on Bug-type Pokémon! Let me demonstrate what I've learned from my studies."

After sending out last Pokémon

"Even though it's my last Pokémon, Bug Pokémon are tough!"

When last Pokémon is at critical health

"Hang in there! Just a little more!"

Being defeated

"Aw, that's the end of it..."

After being defeated

"Whoa, amazing! You're an expert on Pokémon! My research isn't complete yet. OK, you win. Take this Badge."

"Do you know the benefits of the Hive Badge? If you have it, Pokémon up to Lv. 30 will obey you, even traded ones. Pokémon that know Cut will be able to use it outside of battle, too. Here, I also want you to have this."

"TM89 contains U-turn. It lets your Pokémon attack, then switch with the next Pokémon in your party. Isn't that great?"

"Bug-type Pokémon are deep. There are many mysteries to explore. Study your top choices thoroughly."

"Yeah, this is Bugsy... What's up? I think I've already mentioned this to you, but did you know I'm doing research on Bug-type Pokémon? There's so many different kinds, it's a bit difficult, you know? I'm just studying Bug-type Pokémon, and yet it's still this difficult. People like Professor Elm and Professor Oak who study all the different types of Pokémon are really something else, you know?"

"Yeah, this is Bugsy... What's up? You know, everyone's really into Bug-type Pokémon when they're kids. But then for some reason, as people grow up, at some point they all start to like Bug-type Pokémon less and less. How about you? Do you still like Bug-type Pokémon? Even if I grow up I'll never stop liking Bug-type Pokémon, no way!"

"Yeah, this is Bugsy... What's up? My Gym has such a different trick to it, doesn’t it? It may seem like it was really difficult to get a trick like that set up... But the truth is, it was actually pretty easy. First we ran the ropes through the Gym, then all the Pokémon helped us finish everything else up!"

Calling him:

"Hello! How are you? I'm doing great as usual! There are so many stronger Gym Leaders than me out there. You're trying to visit every Gym around the region, aren't you? That's great! Keep up the good work!"

"Hello! How are you? I'm doing great as usual! On Thursdays around noon, I'm usually free. If you want to see my Bug-type Pokémon again, you should call me then!"

On Thursday afternoons:

"Hello! How are you? I'm doing great as usual! Oh, you called at just the right time! I'm not doing anything right now. Wanna battle again?"

No: "I see... Well, there's no helping that..."

Yes: "All right! See you at the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City!"

"Hello! How are you? I'm doing great as usual! All right, I’ll be waiting for you at the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City! Race you there!"

"Thanks! Thanks to our battle, I was also able to make progress in my research!"

In the lobby, after the tournament

"I never lose when it comes to Bug-type Pokémon. I'm so embarrassed to have said that. I'll start my studies of other Pokémon over from the beginning, too. I'm truly grateful that you made me realize I need to do that."

Pokémon

Spinarak is the first Pokémon Bugsy used in his match against Ash, saying that it's one of his strongest Pokémon in his arsenal. It battled against Cyndaquil and almost won with its String Shot and Poison Sting attacks, since Cyndaquil couldn't get its flame started. Eventually, Ash recalled Cyndaquil and sent out Chikorita instead, despite the type disadvantage. Spinarak and Chikorita kept dodging each other's attacks, until Ash told Chikorita to use Sweet Scent, enabling it to Tackle Spinarak and win the round.

Bugsy's second choice for his battle with Ash was Metapod. Metapod used Harden several times to resist Chikorita's attacks, and then surprised Ash by being able to jump and Tackle Chikorita. Ash decided to use Pikachu, and after dodging many more attacks, Pikachu managed to attack Metapod with Thunderbolt and win.

Scyther proved to be an exceptional fighter as it can hold its own against Fire-types by using Swords Dance to counter fire attacks. Using this technique, it almost defeated Ash's Cyndaquil by deflecting all of its fire attacks. Thanks to Ash's strategy though, Cyndaquil gained the upper hand. Instead of attacking horizontally, it jumped above Scyther and used Flamethrower. Scyther was unable to defend itself from the attack and was knocked out of the battle, allowing Ash to earn the Hive Badge.

At Azalea Gym

Caterpie (multiple)

Bugsy has multiple Caterpie that live in the Azalea Gym; it is unknown if he uses them in Gym battles. One first appeared when it came down from the trees to greet Misty, who has a bug phobia. They later appear when Team Rocket enter the Gym: the Bug Pokémon tie them up with silk. Their latest appearance also involved Team Rocket's infiltration and capture, this time at night.

Bugsy has multiple Metapod that live in the Azalea Gym; it is unknown if he uses them in Gym battles or just uses his stronger Metapod. They briefly appear when Team Rocket enter the building, Metapod and the other Bug Pokémon tie them up with silk. Their latest appearance also involved Team Rocket's infiltration and capture, this time at night.

Bugsy has multiple Weedle and Kakuna that live in the Azalea Gym; it is unknown if he uses them in Gym battles. Multiple Weedle appear briefly when Team Rocket enter the building, tying them up with silk. Their latest appearance also involved Team Rocket's infiltration and capture, this time at night.

Voice actors

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Bugsy in Pokémon Adventures

Bugsy makes his first appearance in the Gold, Silver & Crystal chapter. He debuts in Into the Unown at the Ruins of Alph. Gold initially mistakes Bugsy for a girl and asks him out on a date only to be disappointed when he finds out the truth. When Bugsy reveals that his colleagues have gone missing, Gold decides to help Bugsy find his missing friends. They enter the ruins, but are attacked by the Team Rocket Elite Trio, who plan to capture the Unown sleeping inside. Gold accidentally awakens the Unown, which begin flying around the ruins. He tricks the Unown into attacking the trio, defeating them. Afterward, they manage to find Bugsy's friends. Bugsy thanks Gold for his help and the two go their separate ways.

Later, Bugsy continues exploring the ruins and even manages to capture an Unown for study purposes. He is attacked by Suicune, who had been challenging all of the Gym Leaders in Johto. Bugsy fights hard, but is ultimately unable to defeat Suicune and is beaten. After Suicune escapes, Bugsy finds inscriptions on the wall mentioning the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh. He wonders if Suicune was also trying to leave a message in addition to its challenge.

At the Indigo Plateau, Bugsy arrives with his fellow Johto Gym Leaders to take place exhibition tournament for the Pokémon League against the Kanto Gym Leaders. In the fifth round, he faces off against Sabrina of Saffron City. Due a type advantage, Bugsy has the advantage at the start of the round. Sabrina turns the match around by revealing that she had been stalling so that her Mr. Mime could create a room made of invisible walls. With no way of being able to see the room, Bugsy is left defenseless and eventually defeated. When the Masked Man attacks the Pokémon League, Bugsy and the other Gym Leaders combat his army of mind-controlled Team Rocket Grunts. The fight takes them to the Magnet Train, which is used as a diversion to get the Gym Leaders away from the stadium. After the Masked Man is defeated, Bugsy returned to his usual duties of being a Gym Leader.

Bugsy in the ninth chapter

In the HeartGold & SoulSilver chapter, Bugsy, along with Chuck and Falkner, is asked by Morty to guard the Ecruteak Gym from suspicious people asking to use Morty's clairvoyance. When Silver arrives to see Morty under Eusine's recommendation, the Gym Leaders mistake him for another suspicious person and stop his attempts to advance. Having no time to talk, Silver opts to battle the Gym Leaders and force his way inside. Silver's clash ends when he is revealed to be a friend of Chuck's former student, Blue. They decide to trust Silver and let him inside to meet with Morty, who had been helping Gold due to mistaking him for Silver. The meeting is cut short by the sudden appearance of Arceus, who lands in front of the Ecruteak Gym and destroys it with a single blast. Falkner, Bugsy, and Chuck are caught in the blast and knocked unconscious.

During the chaos, Gold finds Bugsy on the ground and picks him up while chasing after Arceus. Gold gives Bugsy a drawing from Morty about the whereabouts of Lance, who he is currently searching for. Bugsy immediately deciphers the drawing as being the Ruins of Alph, which Arceus is also heading towards. After arriving and meeting Lance, Bugsy stays behind while Gold faces Arceus alone. Lance talks to Bugsy about the origins about the Pokéathlon and how a Pokémon saved a region after a Trainer cleared many obstacles with their Pokémon to meet with it. Lance reveals that he wanted Gold to compete in the Pokéathlon as a way to recreate the legend as a way to try and get close to Arceus. Bugsy expresses more interest in the Pokémon that saved the region. Bugsy is then left alone when Lance goes off to get help.

Bugsy is equipped with a Capture Net, which is a regular bug-catching net outfitted with the same capture thread contained inside of a Poké Ball. Since the thread is on the outside, it drags the caught Pokémon into a Poké Ball.

Pokémon

This listing is of Bugsy's Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga.

Metapod (×2)

Bugsy owns two Metapod. One was first seen at the Ruins of Alph when Bugsy met Gold. The second was seen alongside the first when Bugsy battled against Suicune. They helped by stretching the Capture Net's capture thread over Suicune's body, but were tossed aside, allowing Suicune to escape.

Bugsy owns two Kakuna. One was first seen at the Ruins of Alph when Bugsy met Gold. The second was seen alongside the first when Bugsy battled against Suicune. They helped by stretching the Capture Net's capture thread over Suicune's body, but were tossed aside, allowing Suicune to escape. In the HeartGold & SoulSilver chapter, Bugsy used one to guard the Ecruteak Gym. It was defeated by Silver and his Weavile.

Heracross was first seen at the Ruins of Alph, helping Bugsy and Gold combat Team Rocket. Later on, it helped Bugsy capture an Unown before they were attacked by Suicune. Heracross faced the Legendary Pokémon, but was easily swatted away, forcing Bugsy to switch to another tactic. At the Pokémon League, Heracross was used to battle Sabrina's Mr. Mime. Due to its type, Heracross had the advantage, but Sabrina revealed she was deliberately holding back to create an invisible room made out of solidified air. Heracross was left defenseless due to Mr. Mime's Encore, which left it unable to dodge a Psybeam that knocked it out. Later, Heracross helped combat the Masked Man's army of Team Rocket Grunts.

Scyther was first used to battle Sabrina at the Pokémon League preliminary tournament. It managed to deal heavy damage to Sabrina's Mr. Mime with consecutive uses of Fury Cutter. Eventually Mr. Mime dodged a hit, which prompted Bugsy to switch to Heracross.

Given away

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Bugsy in the Golden Boys manga

Bugsy first appears in Let's Aim For The Goal when Gold was watching a basketball game from above. He invites Gold to take part in it as the game celebrates the Ruins of Alph's anniversary. When Gold agreed to take part, Bugsy formed a team with him and allowed Gold to take the prize if they won. They go up against a Firebreather named Takeo. Despite his team having a type-advantage against Bugsy's, Bugsy and Gold were able to defeat him and win the prize (with Gold actually keeping it). During their time in the Ruins of Alph, they hear over the intercom that an incident happened in the Union Cave and Bugsy tells Gold to come with him. They find out that Black is also in the cave, who wants to capture the Lapras in there, no matter what it takes. After the events in the Union Cave, Bugsy reveals to Gold that he is the Leader of the Azalea Gym. Then, he challenges Gold using his Scyther while Gold sent out the Pokémon that Black released while in the Union Cave, a Bayleef. Despite the type-advantage, Scyther lost and Gold was awarded the Hive Badge. Bugsy reunites with Gold in Gold And Black VS. Team Rocket where he and Whitney were at the Tin Tower.

When Gold and Bugsy were having their Gym battle, Bugsy sent out Scyther while Gold sent out Bayleef. Despite Scyther having the type-advantage and Bayleef trying to get over being abandoned from its previous Trainer, Scyther ended up being defeated.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

The charcoal maker recommended Red and his Pokémon to see him in his Gym while he stayed behind. The group goes to the Azalea Gym to see Bugsy. Bugsy tells them about his collection of Bug-type. Afterwards, he has a Gym Battle with Red. Even though his Pokémon appeared to be powerful, Clefairy's gag moves defeated them which earned Red the Hive Badge. He gives them four Poké Balls and unbeknownst to the group, an onion was hidden in one of them. Having enough, the group run off and give Professor Oak the onion in the Poké Ball.

In PMHGSS05, Red had a rematch with him as part of the goal to collect all of the Johto Gym Badges. He was able to defeat him after a close call with Tyrogue.

Pokémon

Metapod

During the Gym Battle against Red and his Clefairy, Bugsy sent out Metapod as the first Pokémon along with Kakuna. Metapod's high defense stat due to the use of Harden caused Clefairy to have problems. Using a cement truck and covering himself in cement, Metapod was knocked back.

During the Gym Battle against Red and his Clefairy, Bugsy sent out Kakuna as the first Pokémon along with Metapod. Kakuna's high defense stat due to the use of Harden caused Clefairy to have problems. Using a cement truck and covering himself in cement, Kakuna was knocked back.

After the defeat of Metapod and Kakuna, Bugsy sent out Scyther. Clefairy's rocky body caused Scyther's blade to crack. However, Clefairy had trouble controlling his rocky body, giving Scyther the advantage. However, the movement of the ground gave Clefairy some rolling power and defeated Scyther.

Later, Bugsy sent out Scyther when Red had a rematch with him. Using Tyrogue, he was able to defeat Scyther.

Heracross is the final revealed Pokémon of Bugsy's team. After Scyther was defeated, Bugsy sent it out. Clefairy spread honey on the tree to attract its attention as well as Bugsy's. However, this caused some other Heracross to show up and get the honey as well. Unfortunately, they fought with Bugsy's Heracross and won.

In the TCG

Bugsy's PokémonCards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.